Now that we are officially in the midst of summer, with temperatures getting into the 90’s in many areas of the country, and people headed to the beach, lakes, and rivers in droves, it only seems appropriate that I give you some of my favorite water-based horror films. Not only can water be dangerous and deadly in itself, but so much lurks in it’s depths, unseen by the world… unless it wants to be seen, or some sorry soul invades its territory.

Obviously Jaws has to have the top spot here. The epitome of the water-based horror film, this film pits the sheriff and residents of Amity Island against a terrifying Great White shark who has a taste for human flesh. The film has the honor of scaring people so much that they were actually afraid to step foot in the water, and it even had its own Universal Studies ride until 2012 (which I had the pleasure of going on years ago). The theme music for Jaws is one of the most iconic scores in all of movie history, and the fact that the shark is rarely shown in the movie just adds to the terror… something is always lurking even if it can’t be seen.

Sharks aren’t the only thing lurking beneath the water, and oceans aren’t the only body of water to avoid. In Rogue, a group of tourists, on a cruise exploring the rivers in an Austrailian National Park, run afoul of a crocodile when they steer off their normal course. This is why you should sometimes not take the road less traveled, because in this case, it can lead you straight into the lair of a crocdile, and towards almost-certain death!

This is one of the most terrifying scenarios I can think of. Getting stranded in open water, with no chance of being able to swim back to land, and with only a glimmer of hope that you’ll be found by a passing boat. How long would you be able to survive? It would be bad enough just having to tread water, but then to have sharks show up and start to circle you? And to think that this is based on a true story…

Another terrifying tale set in Australia, Black Water also pits its characters against a crocodile when they become stranded in a mangrove swamp, far away from civilization. Note to self: don’t go on a tour of any rivers/swamps in Australia. If Rogue and Black Water tell you anything, it’s that these places are not safe!!

Think that crocodiles and sharks, and other large creatures are the only menace that lives in the water? Then you haven’t seen The Bay, in which the danger comes from a much smaller creature that has infested the water- mutant parasites that infect humans, and turn them into blood-thirsty hosts. This found-footage movie shows the destruction that an ecological disaster and government cover-up can cause.

This over-the-top horror film pits a multitude of spring-breakers against a horde of giant man-eating piranhas. When an earthquake unleashes the piranhas into Lake Victoria, after being sealed up in an underground lake for eons, all hell breaks loose. Bloody, gratuitous, and funny- this movie is not to be taken seriously in the slightest, but the gore definitely lives up to expectations.

Another water-based horror film from one of the directors of Black Water, this film once again pits our heroes against those pesky sharks, when their sailboat capsizes out near the Great Barrier Reef. The dilemma they face is whether to stay with the boat, and hope that help comes along before it sinks, or to try to swim to a near island before they get too weak. Either scenario includes avoiding the deadly sharks. What would you do?

No wonder my boyfriend’s greatest fear is the water… and the creatures that lurk beneath the surface!!

Chances are, if you are a college student, your spring break has already passed, and hopefully you have survived…

But, if by any chance you have not gone away yet, or need some guidance for next year, we wanted to give you a warning about some places you should avoid if you want to come back intact!

Source: australiaadventures.com

1. Australia- Definitely avoid Australia! Sure, it’s beautiful. There are plenty of beaches, surfing, beautiful people, and awesome accents, but there are many dangers lurking in this country that spell disaster for all you spring-breakers. If you plan on taking a road trip across the continent you might be kidnapped and tortured by a sick and twisted man, like in Wolf Creek, or you may end up stalked by a crazy truck driving serial killer a la Road Games. If you decide to avoid the road and explore the water instead, you might become the victim of an angry crocodile as in Black Water and Rogue. Or if you take your chances in the outback you’ll want to avoid the vicious wild boars (Razorback), and even Mother Nature herself (Long Weekend). Danger lurks around every corner.

Source: surfersvillage.com

2. Any Body of Water- Going somewhere warm and close to the water is a very popular spring break destination. Don’t do it!!!! Oceans, lakes, pools…. these are all terrible places to vacation! Want to be a victim of a shark attack (Jaws, Open Water, The Reef)? Or a victim of other man-eating water-dwelling creatures (Piranha, Lake Placid)? Well. okay then, if that’s your cup of tea…go for it! Think you’ll be safer in a pool? Think again. You might be sucked to the bottom, and have your intestines pulled out of your body (The Final Destination), or end up swimming with a pile of skeletons (Poltergeist)! Water=danger!

Source: worldexpeditions.com

3. Mexico- Mexico seems like another warm and tropical place to go! There are all sorts of interesting things to do, but again- don’t do it!!! Seeing ancient Mayan ruins may seem like an exciting adventure, until you become the victim of man-eating plants whose curse turns the locals against you (The Ruins). If you decide to avoid visiting ancient ruins, and instead hang out in town, beware, as you may get kidnapped, tortured, and sacrified by a crazy cult (Borderland). Mexico not only has man-eating plants and cults, but you’d also want to avoid the cannibals (We Are What We Are) and even aliens (Monsters) if you want to make it home alive!

Source: tripadvisor.com

4. Islands around the world- Sure, the seclusion of an island sounds ideal for a lot of people. You can get away from it all, and not be connected to the craziness of the mainland, but that peaceful seclusion could quickly turn to dangerous isolation! Killer kids (Who Can Kill a Child?), insane religious cults (The Wicker Man), crazy scientists (Island of Lost Souls, The Island of Dr. Moreau), and deranged rednecks (Storm Warning), are just some of the horrific situations that may await you. You won’t appreciate the secluded surroundings for long!

Source: discoveramerica.com

5. Louisiana- Sure, there are many places in the US to avoid (i.e. Texas and West Virginia), but I think Louisiana is the one to avoid. Sure, you may go want to go for the delicious food, parade-like atmosphere, fun music scene or historic architecture, but not only do you have the threat of voodoo and hoodoo going against you (The Skeleton Key), but you also have Satanic cults to avoid (The Last Exorcism), more rednecks and hungry crocodiles (Eaten Alive), and deformed creatures looking for revenge (Hatchet).

So there you have it! Five places to avoid on spring break. So where are you going to go? Might I suggest Montana, or Canada, or Holland… you might be safer there….maybe….